1. The University of Cape Coast intends to apply part of its Budgetary Allocation of Funds and Internally Generated Funds where applicable, for payments under the following contracts.
DESCRIPTION | QTY | BID SECURITY GH¢ |
CR/UCC/GD/0047/2023 Supply and installation of CCTV Cameras and Accessories at selected areas on campus | various | 50,000.00 |
CR/UCC/GD/0048/2023 Supply of Lecture Theatre Tables and Chairs | 1,000 pairs | 18,000.00 |
CR/UCC/GD/0050/2023 Supply of Conference room chairs for NEC | 1,000 pcs | 12,000.00 |
CR/UCC/GD/0061/2023 Supply and installation of extensible oil switch, cables, wooden poles etc. for completion of ring main system at ATL and Science sub-stations | various | 40,000.00 |
CR/UCC/GD/0066/2023 Supply and installation of 12KV Metal clad air insulated switch gear for UCC Power Control Room | various | 10,000.00 |
CR/UCC/GD/0074/2023 Supply and installation of 60KVA UPS for IT Training and Support Section | 1 | 10,000.00 |
CR/UCC/GD/0075/2023 Supply of Polo shirts for CoDE | 20,000 pcs | 15,000.00 |
CR/UCC/GD/0079/2023 Supply of Printed hard A3 envelopes for CoDE | 250,000 pcs | 15,000.00 |
2. The University of Cape Coast invites sealed Tenders from eligible suppliers or contractors for supply of the above goods or works. Tendering will be conducted through the National Competitive Tendering (NCT) procedures specified in the Public Procurement Act, 2003 (Act 663) as Amended and the Guidelines of the Public Procurement Authority of the Republic of Ghana.
3. Interested eligible Tenderers may obtain further information from the Procurement Office, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, and inspect the bidding document at the address and location given from 28th June, 2023, Monday-Friday, 9.00 am to 4.00 pm local time each day.
4. A complete set of Tender documents in English may be purchased by interested Tenderers on the submission of a written application to the address below and upon the payment of a non-refundable fee of GH¢300.00 for any of the documents. The method of payment will be by cash, or bank draft to University of Cape Coast. The document will be obtained personally.
5. Tenders must be deposited in the Tender Box located at the Procurement Office, New Central Administration Building, New Site, at or before 11:00am, on Tuesday, 18th July, 2023.
6. Tenders shall be valid for a period of 90 days after the deadline for Tender submission. All tenders must be accompanied by a Tender Security of not less than the respective amounts indicated above from a reputable Bank in the format attached in the tender documents. Late Tenders will be rejected. Tenders will be opened at 11.05 am in the presence of Tenderers’ representatives who choose to attend at the Academic Board Chamber located at the Top Floor of the New Administration Building, University of Cape Coast and at the time specified above.
7. All tenders must be accompanied by:
Valid Business Registration Certificate, VAT Certificate, Valid Tax Clearance Certificate, Valid SSNIT Clearance Certificate, Manufacturers Authorization (where applicable), PPA Registration Certificate and other Relevant Certificates.
8. Address for inspection and Purchase of Tender Documents:
Procurement Office
New Central Administration Block- New Site
Telephone: 0243422871/0243579933
Email: procurement@ucc.edu.gh/nampofo@ucc.edu.gh
Academic Year:
2023
Applications are invited from suitably qualified Mature Candidates for admission into first degree programmes of the University of Cape Coast for the 2023/2024 academic year.
Applicants are to buy application E-Vouchers which are up for sale at the Centres listed below:
1.0 SALES CENTRES
(a) Cash Office, University of Cape Coast (Mode of payment – CASH)
(b) Ghana Post Offices at the Regional Capitals (Mode of payment – CASH)
(c) Ghana Commercial Bank (GCB) -nationwide
(d) University of Cape Coast Accra Office, Tesano, Accra (Mode of payment –CASH)
APPLICATION FEE - GHS 450.00 (covers cost of e-vouchers, examination fee and preparatory classes fee)
The deadlines for the sale of application e-vouchers and the submission of completed application forms are Friday, 4thAugust, 2023 and Friday, 11th August, 2023 respectively.
2.0 ONLINE APPLICATIONS
a. Online applicants should visit apply.ucc.edu.gh then click on apply for programme, then click on Regular Mature Application and proceed with the application process.
b. All applicants are required to provide the following information at the back of the large EMS envelope: (a) application reference number (b) names in full – no abbreviations accepted (c) postal address (d) first choice programme and (e) application category which should be MATURE.
3.0 ENTRY REQUIREMENTS FOR MATURE CANDIDATES
Applicants seeking admission as Mature Candidates must;
i. be, at least, Twenty-Five (25) years old by 31stAgust, 2023. A copy of applicant’s birth certificate issued not less than five (5) years from the day of completing the application form should be enclosed with the application materials.
ii. have any one of the following:
§ Minimum of Senior High School Certificate
§ Teacher’s Certificate ‘A’
§ NVTI Certificate
§ NABPTEX Certificate
NB. Applicants who do not have credit passes in English and Mathematics at either SSSCE/WASSCE or GCE ‘O’ Level would be required to register for and pass special examinations in those subjects after payment of a fee of GHS60.00 per subject.
4.0 ENTRANCE EXAMINATION
4.1 Main Papers
The main examinations for candidates will comprise;
i. General Paper
ii. Aptitude Test
4.2 Special/Practical Papers
i. Special examinations in Mathematics and English Language for candidates who do not have credit passes at G.C.E. ‘O’ Level (grade 6 or better) or WASSCE/SSSCE (grade C6/D or better).
ii. Practical examinations will be conducted for candidates applying for the Bachelor of Music and Bachelor of Education (Health, Physical Education & Recreation) programmes on a date which will be communicated to successful applicants.
4.3 Dates for Examinations
i. Monday, 4thSeptember, 2023 - General Paper and Aptitude Test
ii. Tuesday, 5th September, 2023 - Special Papers in Mathematics and English
4.4 Preparatory Classes
PREPARATORY CLASSES WILL BE RUN FOR ALL APPLICANTS BY THE UNIVERSITY from Monday, 21stAugust, 2023 to Friday, 1st September, 2023on selected topics to enhance their chances of passing the entrance examination. Applicants are expected to report to campus on Saturday, 19thAugust, 2023. An orientation programme will be held for all applicants on Sunday, 20thAugust, 2023 at 3:00 pm prompt in C. A. Ackah Lecture Theatre 2 (CAALT 2) before the start of the preparatory classes. All applicants are expected to participate in the orientation programme.
4.5 Accommodation
Applicants are encouraged to make their own accommodation arrangements with the Halls of residence at the North campus of the University (New Site) for the period of the preparatory classes and the examinations.
4.6 Placement of Successful Applicants
Successful applicants will, on admission, be placed at Level 100 of their respective programmes of choice.
5.0 SUBMISSION OF COMPLETED ONLINE APPLICATION FORMS
(a) Copies of completed online application forms (confirmation pages) accompanied by photocopies of results slip(s), birth certificate, payment slips or receipts, transcripts (where applicable) and other relevant documents should be sent to the Director, Directorate of Academic Affairs, UCC by POST and NOT delivered by hand not later than Friday, 11th August, 2023.
A change of programme after the submission of application form would NOT be entertained.
6.0 PROGRAMMES AVAILABLE FOR 2023/2024 ACADEMIC YEAR
Mature candidates are advised to select only programmes that are listed below.
FACULTY OF ARTS |
B.A. (Arts) |
B.A. (African Studies) |
B. Music |
B. A. (Communication Studies) |
B.A. (Theatre Studies) |
B.A. (Film Studies) |
B.A. (Dance) |
B.A. (Chinese) |
|
FACULTY OF SOCIAL SCIENCES |
B.Sc. (Tourism Management) |
B.A. (Population & Health) |
B.A. (Anthropology) |
B.A. (Social Sciences) |
B.Sc. (Hospitality Management) |
|
SCHOOL OF BUSINESS |
Bachelor of Commerce (Finance) |
Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting) |
Bachelor of Commerce (Management) |
Bachelor of Commerce (Procurement & Supply Chain Management) |
Bachelor of Commerce (Marketing) |
Bachelor of Commerce (Human Resource Management) |
|
FACULTY OF HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES EDUCATION |
B.Ed (Arts) |
B.Ed (Social Sciences) |
B.Ed (Social Studies) |
B.Ed (Management) |
B.Ed (Accounting) |
FACULTY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION |
B.Ed (Health, Physical Education and Recreation) |
B.Ed (Science) |
B.Ed (Computer Science) |
B.Ed (Mathematics) |
B.Ed (Home Economics) |
B.Ed. (Communication Design) |
Bachelor of Fine Art Education (Painting and Sculpture) |
FACULTY OF EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATIONS |
B.Ed (Junior High School Education) |
B.Ed (Primary Education) |
B.Ed (Early Childhood Education) |
B.Sc (Psychology) |
SCHOOL OF AGRICULTURE |
B.Sc (Agriculture) |
B.Sc (Agribusiness) |
B.Sc (Agro-Processing) |
B.Sc (Animal Production) |
B.Sc (Agricultural Extension and Community Development) |
REGISTRAR
The Department of Biomedical Sciences has been presented with laboratory equipment and consumables valued at GH¢ 7.5 million.
The equipment, procured by ADNA Biologics Limited, Ghana, a subsidiary company of NKAARCO Diagnostics Limited, Norwich, UK is to enhance training of the students at the Department.
The equipment included Thermo Scientific Kingfischer flex purification system, integra Assist Plus, Integra Assist Plus liquid Handling Robot, Microtiter Deep 96 well plate, as well as Tip comb for microtiter Deep well 96 plate.
Others are various 1200ul, 200ul, 50ul and 20ul pipette tips.
The donated equipment
The Dean of the School of Allied Health Sciences, Prof. Desmond Omane Acheampong presenting the consignment on behalf of the donor, said the School had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with NKAARCO Diagnostics Limited to support the Department of Biomedical Sciences with research equipment and consumables.
He said the items would facilitate teaching and learning as well as bolster research at the Department.
The Dean charged the Department to put the equipment to good use to achieve its intended purposes and put in place preventive maintenance measures to prolong its lifespan.
Dean of Allied Health Sciences with staff and students from the School
The Head of the Department, Prof. Alexander Egyir-Yawson, indicated that the equipment and consumables had come at an "opportune time" to support academic and laboratory work at the Department.
He thanked NKAARCO Diagnostics Limited for the gesture and promised that the equipment would be put to good use.
Source: Documentation and Information Section
The Dean of the School of Allied Health Sciences of the University of Cape Coast (UCC), Prof. Desmond Omane Acheampong, has revived calls for complete elimination of taxes on imported equipment and consumables for research in the country.
He argued that such a measure would encourage private industries to support academic institutions with high-powered equipment to drive the Ghanaian economy with technology, as well as the generation of research ideas by both academia and industry.
Prof.Acheampong made the remarks in an interview with the media on the sidelines of a presentation of research equipment and consumables valued at GH ¢7.5 million donated by NKAARCO Diagnostics Limited, Norwich, Limited, UK, to the Department of Biomedical Sciences.
The Dean observed that high import duties served as disincentive to both local and foreign industries to support research agenda of academia in the country.
"We cannot do research without industry players; they are needed to be able to push research forward. Funding will always come from industry to support research. One area that will help boost research is to waive taxes on imported research equipment and consumables or grant tax holidays to industries," he added.
In addition to the abolition of taxes, the Dean appealed to government to make deliberate effort to support academia to develop ideas through the establishment of a research fund.
"Usually research starts with ideation to phototype setting and testing and we will need research fund because most of the time private industry will not invest at that level", he explained.
The Dean called on academia to take the bold step to approach industry and involve industry players in all their research activities.
"...I think academia should take the first step to involve the industry players in curriculum development, involve them in the training of students," Prof. Acheampong stressed.
Source: Documentation and Information Section
The Cape Coast Society of the Institute of Chartered Accountants, Ghana (ICAG) has launched its 10th anniversary with a call on members to equip themselves with the progress of Artificial Intelligence to leverage on its potential for the future of the Accounting profession.
The celebration is on the theme: " Promoting Professionalism in Accountancy Building Partnership for Sustainability and Expanding our Networks for Nation Building".
Speaking at the launch, the Director of Finance of the University of Cape Coast (UCC), Mrs. Elizabeth Obese, stated that AI was making significant impact on financial decision making by accountants. She added that “It is becoming abundantly clear that AI can make accountants redundant in the near future”.
Mrs. Elizabeth Obese speaking at the launch
She further explained that " In an era of technology where artificial intelligence is being used to solve so many problems and if we don’t take care, we may become irrelevant”.
The Finance Director continued: "AI continues to evolve and automate various tasks, it poses a potential threat to the traditional role of accountants in the country."
She, therefore, called for effective measures to curtail the potential threat posed by AI to the accounting profession.
Popping of champagne at the launch
Mrs. Obese urged members of the Cape Coast Society of ICAG not to throw caution to the wind but redouble their efforts to be in sync with the advancement of AI to keep their jobs.
The Founding Chairman of ICAG, Cape Coast District Society, Mr. Emmanuel Paul Owusu, recounted the formative years of the association that started with a handful members, saying the association now had hundreds of members who had chartered.
Mr. Emmanuel Owusu tracing the history of the Society. Beside him is Prof. Edward Marfo-Yiadom
He said the society had made significant impact to improve the quality of life of the poor and vulnerable in some communities in Central region.
The Chairman of the Cape Coast Society of ICAG, Mr. Kwabena Owusu, in his welcome address, thanked his predecessors for their support towards the association, which began in 2013.
He said the association had made efforts to assist several its members to become chartered accountants.
Mr. Owusu noted that the association would continue to build the capacities of its members to hone their skills in technology.
Mr. Emmanuel Ankamah delivering his address
The launch was chaired by Mr. Emmanuel Ankamah, a Council Member and Chair Education and Training Committee of ICAG.
The Minister of Education, Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum, has inaugurated a state-of-the-art Training Resort and Conference Centre for the College of Distance Education (CoDE) of University of Cape Coast (UCC). The facility is located at Agona Nyakrom in the Agona West Municipality of the Central Region.
The edifice, which is the first phase of a range of development projects on a 50-acre land to given UCC by the Agona Nyarkrom Traditiona Council, comprises 162 standard bedrooms, 16 executive bedrooms, 10 seminar rooms and a spacious conference room. Other ancillary facilities include a kitchen, shops, indoor recreational rooms, a servery, a restaurant, a multi-purpose recreational court, a caretaker’s apartment, a 2-bedroom semi-detached house with a kitchen, living and dining area, among others.
Minister of Education, Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum,
Commissioning the facility, Dr. Adutwum expressed immense appreciation to the chief and people of the area for providing the conducive environment for the construction and completion of the project.
He reminded residents of the community that education was the surest legacy they could bequeath to their children, adding that through education and knowledge acquisition; he was now a minister of state.
In view of that, the Education Minister appealed to residents of Agona Nyarkrom, especially parents, to invest their resources in the education of their children to ensure they have a good and secured future.
Dr. Adutwum expressed the hope that UCC would liaise with the Municipal Director of the Ghana Education Service (GES) to extend its Neighbourhood Academic Initiative to the communities in the area so that children could be challenged by the presence of UCC to take their studies seriously.
A group photo of dignitaries at the commissioning
"That is your security because if the community prospers because of your presence, they are the ones that will guard the facility for you," Dr. Adutwum stated.
Consequently, he advised members of Agona Nyakrom to take good care of the facility, maintain and manage it responsibly so that their offspring could also benefit from it.
Prof. Nyarko Boampong delivering his address at the commissioning
In his address, the Vice-Chancellor of UCC, Prof. Johnson Nyarko Boampong, stated that the construction of the facility started in 2012, however, unforeseen challenges delayed the project.
"The Training and Resort Centre is not merely a brick-and-mortar-structure. It symbolises the commitment of the University to holistic education, industry relevance and sustainable development" he added.
The Vice-Chancellor noted that the establishment of the Centre "aligns with my vision of repositioning UCC as a global hub of creative thinkers, offering demand-driven programmes, integrated practical entrepreneurship courses, and actively translating the product of innovative research for sustainable development."
Beyond the educational significance, Prof. Boampong stressed that the Centre would also contribute to the growth of tourism and put Agona Nyarkrom on the global map.
Dr. Adutwum, the Hon. Minister of Education (right) supported by the chairman of UCC Council, Prof. Obeng Mireku, (middle) to commission the staff accommodation block.
He assured the people and chiefs of Agona Nyakrom of the University’s vision to add to the facility to make it suitable for running various programmes as a satellite campus of UCC, especially in health and allied science programmes.
The Paramount Chief of Agona Nyakrom Traditional Area, Okatakyie Okofo Nyarku Eku X, who chaired the event, appealed to the University to run some distance education programmes at the Training Centre.
The Provost of CoDE, Prof. Mohammed Anokye Adam, speaking at the inauguration, said CoDE-UCC was poised to widen access to quality education to all and sundry in the country. He was particularly impressed with the many students of CoDE-UCC who were doing exploits in diverse fields leading to the award of numerous awards both locally and internationally.
Provost of CoDE-UCC, Prof. Anokye Mohammed Adam
He specially mentioned Miss Selasi Domi-Kuwornu, a distance student, for winning the Miss Geek Africa competition in Zimbabwe.
The minister and his entourage were later conducted round the facility.
The ceremony was graced by government officials, traditional leaders, former UCC Vice-Chancellors, among other dignitaries.
Source: Documentation and Information Section-UCC
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The UCC Wildcats, the men's basketball team of the University of Cape Coast (UCC) have sealed a 21-12 win over Kenya-based US International University to be crowned winners of the 5th Federation of Africa University Sports (FASU) 3x3 Basketball Championship in Johannesburg, South Africa.
The tournament, played at the University of Johannesburg's Soweto Campus from 23-24 June, 2023, featured 13 African universities, including University of Zambia, Makerere University (Uganda) and American University in Cairo (Egypt).
The FASU 3X3 Basketball format offers an exciting twist on the traditional game. Teams consist of three players per side , competing on a half-court . With fewer player on the court and a smaller playing area, 3X3 basket intensifies the strategic aspect of the sport, emphasizing quick decision-making, with the first to reach 21 points declared as the winner.
Remarkable players who performed creditably during the tournament included James Amotoe, Francis Dake, captain Frederick Asante Fadu-Twum, and Bawa Godfred
At the end of the event, high-flying Team UCC emerged winners and would represent Africa in the 31st International University Sports Federation (FISU) Games Summer (World University Games) in Chengdu in China between November 2023.
Speaking to the media, the Chairman of the Sports and Recreation Committee -UCC, Dr. Daniel Apaak, commended the playing body for their resilience and staying power to win the competition. He added that Team UCC would train hard for more honours in future.
He dropped the hint that he had received assurances from the Vice-Chancellor of the UCC, Prof. Johnson Nyarko Boampong that all members of the playing body would be handsomely rewarded for their outstanding performance in South Africa.
The Captain of UCC Wildcats, Fadu-Twum, expressed confident that Team UCC would do everything they could to pull off a surprise on the world stage.
By this historic feat, UCC emerges as the legitimate sports ‘landlords’ in Ghana and Africa. UCC’s rise as an institution of great repute has already been established per the 2023 Times Higher Education Ranking. UCC is the best university in Ghana, West Africa and the fourth in Africa.
The Acting Head of the Sports Section, Mr. Edward Nartey accompanied the team to South Africa.
Results of Wildcats at a glance at the tournament:
• UCC 21 vs Ndejje University (Uganda) 14
• UCC 21 vs University of Botswana 18
•UCC 21 vs Northwest University (South Africa) 08
• UCC 21 vs Copperbelt University ( Zambia) 06
•UCC 21 vs University of Ghana 11
•UCC 21 vs University of Zambia 14
•UCC 21 vs US International University (Kenya) 12
Source: Documentation and Information Section-UCC
The University Community and the public are invited.
BIODATA
Prof. David Teye Doku holds a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree in Public Health with concentration in Epidemiology and a Master of Science (MSc) degree in Health Sciences (major in Public Health) both from the School of Health Sciences, Tampere University, Finland. Prof. Doku is the Director of the Directorate of Research, Innovation and Consultancy (DRIC) and a Professor of Epidemiology and Public Health at the Department of Population and Health. Prof. Doku is also an Adjunct Professor (Docent) in Public Health at the Tampere University, Finland. He has previously served as Head of the Department of Population and Health and a Deputy Director of DRIC.
Prof. Doku began his academic career in 2008 as a researcher at the then Tampere School of Public Health, University of of. David Teye Doku holds a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree in Public Health with concentration in Epidemiology and a Master of Science (MSc) degree in Health Sciences (major in Public Health) both from the School of Health Sciences, Tampere University, Finland. Prof. Doku is the Director of the Directorate of Research, Innovation and Consultancy (DRIC) and a Professor of Epidemiology and Public Health at the Department of Population and Health. Prof. Doku is also an Adjunct Professor(Docent) in Public Health at the Tampere University, Finland. He has previously served as Head of the Department of Population and Health and a Deputy Director of DRIC. Prof. Doku began his academic career in 2008 as a researcher at the then Tampere School of Public Health, University of Tampere (now Tampere University). He was appointed at the University of Cape Coast in 2011 as a lecturer. He was promoted to senior lecturer in 2013, promoted to the rank of associate professor in 2020 and professor in 2022. Prof. Doku teaches courses in Epidemiology and Public Health at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. His research interest includes: adolescents health; health inequalities, maternal, neonatal and child health in low and- middleincome countries.
Over the past 12 years, Prof Doku has successfully produced 10 PhD graduates either as a principal supervisor or a cosupervisor. Most of these graduates are holding responsible career positions
2016: Best Evolved Researcher, UCC;
2016: Co-supervisor of an outstanding PhD thesis, School of Graduate Studies, UCC;
2011: Outstanding Doctoral Student of the Year, School of Health Sciences, Tampere University, Finland; and
2009 and 2010: Finalist, best young researcher, European Association of Public Health Schools.
Prof. Doku has served on several committees at the University of Cape Coast and has initiated and contributed to the development of a number of policies, guidelines, courses and academic programmes, including courses in Advanced Epidemiology and Global Health, and Bachelor of Public Health (with specialisation in Health Promotion, Epidemiology and Disease Control), Master of Public Health in Epidemiology and Biostatistics, and Master of Public Health in Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights. During his tenure as head of department, he promoted the establishment of the Centre of Mixed Migration and Diaspora Studies (CeMMiDS) and has fostered departmental partnerships with a number of institutions both in Ghana and internationally.
Prof. Doku has substantial national and international exposure and networks. He serves as external expert examiner in the disciplines of Epidemiology and Public Health for universities both in Ghana and internationally. Prof. Doku holds important editorial positions with reputable journals. He has undertaken research projects with some of the leading worlds scholars in his area of expertise. Prof. Doku currently leads Ghana’s team of a global network working on providing compelling evidence to inform advocacy for accelerating progress towards the attainment of the Health and Health-related Sustainable Development Goals (HHSDGs). This network is an inter-sectoral strategy and a global Consortium, led by the world’s top global health scientists, to drive progress on the HHSDGs as well as address Climate Change, Health, and Complex Challenges (CHOICE).
In 2014, Prof. Doku was part of a 12-member international team of experts invited by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) to the Strategic Meeting on Ebola Virus Disease Outbreak in West Africa on Scaling up Contact Tracing in the three affected countries (Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone) during the Ebola outbreak.
Aside from teaching, publications and supervision, together with other colleagues, Prof. Doku has won a number of external research grants and consultancy contract. His total grants won exceed Three Million Dollars (>USD 3,000,000,00). He played key role in the design and implementation of these projects.
He has also designed and facilitated several seminars and workshops locally and internationally for both students and faculty members. Prof. Doku’s research and academic network covers several countries, including South Africa, USA, Norway, Canada, Germany, Australia, Sweden and Finland.
Prof. Doku is an elder of the Apostolic Church-Ghana and serves as a patron of the UCC branch of the Apostolic Church-Ghana, Students and Associates (APOSA). Prof. Doku is married to Laura and they are blessed with two children and two wards, namely, Luukas, Hilma, Regina and Rosina, respectively.
ABSTRACT
The Causes of the Causes:Is society the producer of its own health and ill-health?
Over the past six decades, public health has improved remarkably globally. Life expectancy has increased for more than twenty years in some countries and nearly all countries in the world have seen tremendous improvement in longevity. Over all, people are living longer than ever. However, during the same period, health inequalities, that is, measurable variations in health which are unfair, unjust and avoidable, have also increased both within countries and between countries. For example, a girl born today can expect to live for more than 85 years, if she is born in countries such as Japan, Sweden or Finland but less than 60 years if she is born in countries like Nigeria, Chad or the Central African Republic and about 66 years if she is born in Ghana.
inquiry regarding factors which influence health outcomes other than medical factors-the Social Determinants of Health.The social determinants of health are the nonmedical factors that influence health outcomes. They reflect the conditions in which people are born, grow, work, live and age. The social determinants of health encompass the wider social, economic, political and cultural forces, systems and policies. In this inaugural lecture, I will discuss the following questions: What are the causes of the causes of ill-health? Whose responsibility is health? What is society’s responsibility for the individual’s and the public’s health? I will also discuss some theoretical underpinnings of health inequalities as well as methodological issues in measuring socioeconomic inequalities in low resource settings.
Further, I will present an overview of some of the research I have done in the field of Social Epidemiology and Public Health with particular focus on health inequalities and make some recommendations for addressing the unfair, unjust and avoidable differences in health. The take home message is that society plays a huge role in the distribution of advantages and disadvantages which in the long run produce health inequalities. Therefore, to build a just, peaceful and prosperous nation, society must address the causes of the causes of ill-health.